I don’t know why, but I’ve felt like I need to back-talk my dad because he has so many rules—and most of them don’t make sense. All I want lately is to be alone, but I never get any privacy.

Dear Going Crazy,
Your parents make rules because they love you. Feeling frustrated about it can be extra common during the holidays when parents and kids feel stressed over test-taking, present-buying and family reunions. Nevertheless, nix the back-talk. It backfires anyhow, right? Every so often, when your dad is shouting the same old rules, say, "I see your point," or, "Got it." If you act less annoyed, he might be less strict. A heart-to-heart might also help. Tell him how you feel without being sarcastic. Toss in phrases like, "I realize you worry about me because you care." Deep down, dads want to protect their daughters—not drive them crazy.

Memories! A song can totally take me back to a specific moment in time.Hard work. I'm in the band at school, so I have to keep my skills sharp. Chilling. I pop my headphones in and all my stress melts away. Getting pumped. The right music really gets me ready for a big game.